AccessHE Creative Network

With the many challenges facing young people looking to follow a creative pathway, AccessHE’s The Arts and Design forum identified the opportunity for widening participation teams to work collaboratively with local cultural partners.

Through meetings, events and online resources the AccessHE Creative Network is developing coordinated strategies to support under-represented young people in London to:

develop their skills, knowledge base and cultural capital

learn about the range of creative qualifications on offer and employment opportunities within the creative industries

have the confidence to choose a creative pathway

submit strong applications to creative higher education courses.

As part of the Network, AccessHE has created a new online resource for prospective students, parents, carers, teachers and advisers, which aims to share information about the wealth of creative HE courses available, information on how to prepare for applying as well as opportunities to develop skills and get involved in the creative arts. The site was launched in October 2016 and can be found at www.accesshecreative.co.uk.

Working to address local needs, with locally based cultural partners and schools in North, East, South and West London, we will provide targeted support whilst creating a new pan London network.

We hope that those teaching and supporting a wide range of creative subjects, including but not limited to Art, Dance, Drama, Design Technology, Music, Photography or Textiles, will benefit as members of the network, attending FREE events, accessing resources and contributing to the development of the programme. We are also looking for cultural organisations, those in the creative industries and anyone working in this area to join our Network.